Whole30 Day 15: Sausage and Veggies

Super easy! This is especially nice when the heat has zapped you of all your energy but you have a lot of veggies in the fridge that need to be cooked.  You can use what ever veggies you want!

Ingredients:

• brussel sprouts, halved
• broccoli, chopped
• onion, rough chopped
• carrots, cut in 1" chunks
• chicken apple sausage - I used Applegate - cut into 1" chunks
• oregano
• thyme
• salt 
• pepper

Directions:

1. Toss all the veggies together in EVOO or ghee or oil of your choice
2. Season with salt and pepper + any other seasonings you like
3. Pour into a baking dish and bake at 400˚F for 10 min.
4. Add sausage, stir together
5. Return to oven and bake for 10 more min.

Whole30 Day 14: Roasted Chicken Thighs and Veggies

It's hot and I don't feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen.  Even though I used my oven, this was quick and easy.

Ingredients:

• organic, free range chicken thighs
• green beans, trimmed
• baby heirloom tomatoes
• red onion, cut into chunks
• evoo
• salt, dried thyme, fresh rosemary

Directions:

1. heat oven to 375˚F .
2. combine all veggies and thighs in a bowl.  Add evoo and spices and mix evenly to coat all ingredients in oil.
3. Add ingredients to a baking dish putting thighs in first, veggies on top.
4. Roast for 30-40 minutes, until veggies are crisp and chicken is cooked through.

I added some sautéed mushrooms to my plate.  I'm the only one that likes them.

Directions:

1. Heat a big tablespoon of butter in a skillet and add mushrooms.  
2. Sauté at a medium heat until mushrooms are golden brown and caramelized.
3. Season with salt and pepper.

Whole30 Day 13: BLATs

Bacon Lettuce Avocado Tomato - easy, delicious, quick, yummy.  This time I turned my avos into guacamole (smashed and added salt, pepper, garlic powder) because that is the only way Cooper will eat them.  I used baby heirloom tomatoes from Trader Joe's and Niman Ranch bacon.

Whole30 Day 12: Chipotle Carnitas Salad

Let's be real.  Sometimes you have to eat out.

Chipotle Carnitas Salad:

Photo: A Balanced Life Cooks

• local, fresh lettuce
• naturally raised pork
• no rice
• no beans
• grilled fajita veggies: bell peppers, onions, oregano
• tomatillo-green chili salsa: fire-roasted tomatillos, tomatoes, jalapeño peppers, red onion, cilantro, garlic, cumin, oregano
• pico de gallo
• guacamole
• no cheese
• no sour cream
• no corn salsa

Whole30 Day 10: Zoodles Carbonara

Spaghetti Carbonara is probably my favorite pasta dish.  I love the richness of the egg and the saltiness of the bacon.  Fortunately, this dish is still very yummy plus it's good for you.  Bonus: it's quick and easy, too!

Photo: http://www.insulinresistancerecipes.com

Ingredients:

• 2 zucchini, spiraled or julienned
• 6 pieces of bacon, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 eggs, beaten

Directions:

1. Cook bacon, add garlic, and cook for just a few seconds.
2. Add zoodles and cook for a couple minutes
3. Add in eggs and stir to coat evenly.
4. Enjoy!

Whole30 Day 9: Homemade Chicken Soup

So, my youngest is home sick.  Time to make chicken soup.  Thankfully, I turned my bones from last Monday's "Beer Can" Chicken into delicious, healing broth.

Ingredients:

• bone broth - make it yourself to get all the rich, healing nutrients.  Why bone broth? Check it out here that includes a recipe.
• organic, free range, roasted chicken
• veggies: carrots, celery, onion, kale, zucchini, broccoli, etc.
• salt to taste

Directions:

Add all ingredients to bone broth and bring to a boil.  Simmer, covered for about 15 minutes or until veggies are tender (not mushy).

Whole30 Day 8: No-Taco Tuesday

Tonight's dinner was inspired by my sister-in-law's take on Non-Taco Tuesday. Check out her instagram and more delicious paleo plates.

• Start with any fresh greens
• Top with fresh or grilled veggies: bell peppers, red onions, zucchini, carrots, broccoli, etc.
• Add seasoned grass-fed ground beef: as you're cooking your beef add cumin, sea salt, pepper, cayenne, garlic powder, etc.
• Top with pico de gallo and guacamole

Super easy and super yum!